Being A Participating Parent

I coach a three and four year old T-Ball team. The rules are simple; hit the ball, and run to first base. The defense needs to field the ball and throw it to first base. Pretty clear instructions, right? I learned after our first game that it is not that simple. How it actually happens is that a kid will hit the ball, stare into the sky, then after forty parents are yelling for him to run, he runs to third base. While this is happening, the defense flocks to the ball as seagulls flock to a handful of goldfish of a beach goer. They take there gloves off, draw in the dirt, tell you that they are hungry, and some just stand there.

I recommend watching a game sometime, it is quite entertaining. Not all kids were clueless to how T-Ball works. The major difference of those who knew how to play and those who did not was that the parent was on the field with them or worked with them prior to the game. It was encouraging to see a dad running with his three year old daughter leading the way to the next base. Without her dad being on the field, she would have been confused on what to do.

It is amazing to me how many Christian parents will participate in their kid’s sports and other extra-curricular activities, but when it comes to their walk with God they are in the stands hoping their kid figures it out.

I challenge each parent to participate in their child’s walk with God. Proverbs 22:6 says,  
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

We train, dedicate, or initiate our children in the way of righteousness by:

1. With grace and love we point to different behaviors and ways of life that please or displease the Lord and the natural consequences of both. Proverbs 7 (way of adultness woman) and 24:30-32 (lazy man’s house) show us that we should teach our children to observe the world around them and receive instruction.

2. We live the gospel in front of them everyday. At home, church, work, ball games, vacations, everywhere! 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul talks of how Timothy’s grandmother and mom lived this genuine and true faith, and is convinced that Timothy has this faith too.

Here are some questions us parents should ask ourselves in regards to raising our kids:

1. Is there anything more important to me than my child’s relationship with Christ?
2. What am I doing right now to point my child towards Christ?
3. Am I actively participating in my child’s life or am I just a bystander?
    - What does he know about God?
    - Who are his friends?
    - How does he treat his authority?
    - Do our conversations consist of God, the Bible, and church?
    - Is my spouse the only one doing the training?

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Let’s participate in Jesus’ good work of our children. It is not our job to complete it or change our child’s heart, because we cannot, but we can continually point them to the One who can.